The Rockets' big summer move was inking guard Jeremy Lin to a huge three-year, $25-million free-agent deal, whisking him away from New York where he blew on to the NBA scene last season, averaging 14 points and 6 assists for the Knicks. Out of options at point guard, the Knicks turned to the Harvard grad Lin and he responded with a memorable January, scoring 20 points and 8 assists to help the Knicks win seven straight games.

Lin's season was cut short by a knee injury and he was a restricted-free agent this summer and the common thought was the Knicks would keep the fan favorite, but the Rockets offered Lin a deal that New York refused to match.